Have a Pet Health Question?
Question: What is This Lump/Swelling on My Dog’s Cheek? I discovered this lump near my dog’s cheek. The area feels hard and solid. She recently had an infected tooth (or so the vet said but wasn’t positive) that would not stop bleeding a few weeks back but I thought that had passed. Perhaps this could… Read More
All dog owners have experienced the agony of waking up or coming home to the foul smell of diarrhea in your home. The range of emotions usually progresses from concern for your dog, to frustration about cleaning, then ultimately to worry that it will continue. The good news is, many times, uncomplicated diarrhea can be… Read More
Ear infections are common in dogs, and certain breeds are particularly prone. Sometimes, we pet owners miss the early signs and do not realize there is an infection until the ears are really angry, painful, and itchy. Fortunately, there are steps we can take to minimize veterinary bills and decrease the frequency of this painful… Read More
Question: What are These Red Spots on My Dog? My 10-month-old dog has red round spots on her belly. She does not lick or itch them. Here’s a picture. -Sandra Answer: Dear Sandra, Thanks for sending the great photos of your dog’s skin. I would describe the red spots as “papules,” meaning circumscribed, elevated solid lesion… Read More
Question: My Dog Just Ate Chocolate! Should I Be Worried? My 60-pound female shepherd mix just ate about a half bar (standard size) of dark chocolate. What are the consequences and is there anything I should do? –Mike Wagner Answer: Dear Mike, Dogs seem to love chocolate almost as much as we humans do. In… Read More
If you have never experienced the itching, hair loss, and skin and ear infections associated with mites in dogs, consider yourself fortunate. Dogs can be infested with several different species of mites, all of which cause unpleasant symptoms that range from itching and discomfort to severe skin infections secondary to the damage caused by these pests…. Read More
Question: How Can I Help My Dog Recover from Chronic Staph Infections? My dog, Riley(Long coat Chihuahua) started having these breakouts on him in either 2014 or 2015… My vet said that he had staph. She gave him an antibiotic shot & it cleared, however it ended up returning… I have noticed that it isn’t… Read More
It’s 2:00 am and you are outside with your sick pup, again, for the third time since bedtime, when you notice bright red blood in his stool. As if being awakened repeatedly to the sound of vomiting and diarrhea was not difficult enough, you now feel a little panicked about this recent development. Worried, you… Read More
The obesity epidemic in cats has mirrored the epidemic in the human population in industrialized countries. Cats that were once hunters for vermin and insect control are now living the good life inside of our homes. While there are many benefits to having cats in our homes – improved lifestyle and longevity, safety, companionship and… Read More
When you were a child, you likely received a series of vaccinations designed to protect you from diseases such as polio, measles and mumps. These diseases are rare today due to widespread vaccination. Similarly, many diseases that were once common in puppies are now prevented by vaccines. Parvovirus and canine distemper virus were initially highly… Read More
Question: What Can I Do for My Cat with FIP? My 9 month old kitten has just been diagnosed with wet FIP, my vet has offered no curative plan. Can you please enlighten me on the latest research and what medicinal plan can we put him on. We adopted a family of four brothers, and this… Read More
Arthritis is very common in dogs. Joint injuries, like cruciate ligament rupture, or developmental disorders, for example hip dysplasia, increase the risk that a dog will have early or severe arthritis, but sometimes arthritis just develops with age. Whatever leads to a dog’s arthritis, owners now have access to many safe and effective options for… Read More
When most people see their dog straining to defecate, they assume he’s constipated. The truth is that often the dog is straining because he has diarrhea, not constipation. In fact, most dogs will strain a lot when they have diarrhea due to intestinal cramping. How Do You Know If Your Dog Is Constipated? You may… Read More
My mom used to have a greyhound named Earl, whom we called “Earl-o-Meter 2000.” He would hide under furniture and tremble from head to toe. It happened regularly and was a bit concerning at first. Have you ever wondered, “What does it mean when my dog gets the shakes?” We figured out that Earl was… Read More
Cancer is the leading killer of older dogs. The good(ish) news: While not every type of cancer can be detected by looking at and feeling your dog, many can. It’s important for pet parents to be able to recognize the common signs of a cancerous tumor so you can get your dog treatment early in… Read More
As the old brown dog stood on my examination table, her fur seemed to have taken on a life of its own. In fact, her fur did have a life of its own: thousands and thousands of fleas. She had lived most of her life fastened to a chain in the yard, unable to move… Read More
Each spring, my clients ask, “How do I safely remove a tick from my dog?” Great question. Ticks are a reality of life for most dogs at one time or another, but unfortunately, these cringe-inducing little parasites can pass very serious diseases to dogs and humans. In this article, you’ll learn how to detect and… Read More
The term “ringworm” is misleading. People typically get a circular lesion that looks a bit like a worm has burrowed under their skin, but in truth, ringworm is caused by infection with any of a number of fungal organisms that collectively go by the name “dermatophytes.” What is Ringworm? Dermatophytes are fungi that can be… Read More
Of all our pets, cats are the most likely to come down with ringworm… and possibly pass the condition on to us. Therefore, it’s vital for all cat owners to have a working understanding of the disease and how it is treated. What is Ringworm? Ringworm is a contagious skin disease that develops after infection… Read More
If you own a hamster, you may already know that there are veterinarians who specialize in taking care of the tiniest furry family members. But, what you may not know is that most companion animal veterinarians have knowledge in the diagnosis and treatment of illness for these special pets, and are willing to help if… Read More
Do you know how to tell if you have a sick dog? Every day in my work as a small animal veterinarian, I encounter at least one pet whose problem is listed on the schedule as “ADR.” ADR is a questionably cute veterinary industry acronym for “ain’t doin’ right.” If you’re a literalist, you might… Read More
Being proactive about preventative health is one of the best ways to ensure that your dog enjoys a long and happy life. But what questions should you be asking your veterinarian to ensure that you’re doing your part to keep your dog healthy and lower the risk of illness, disease, and injury? We’ve put together… Read More
